TULSA – Tulsa Athletic scored a season-high six goals to defeat Ozark FC, 6-2, in the Heartland Conference semifinals on Wednesday (July 10) at Veterans Park to clinch a spot and in the Heartland Conference championship this Saturday (July 13) in Tulsa.
Tulsa Athletic, the Heartland Conference regular season champion, tallied the first four goals of the match in the opening 60 minutes to pull away for the victory, pushing their unbeaten streak to 11 straight contests this season.
Joe Garcia, who was named the Man of the Match, posted the opening two goals in the first half for a brace. Aboubakr Diallo sent in a cross that Garcia volleyed in for a 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute of action. Garcia doubled the lead to 2-0 when he scored off his rebound on a penalty kick right before halftime.
In the second half, Tulsa Athletic poured it on with four more goals. Adam Habib needed only seven minutes in the second half to score with his goal in the 52nd minute for a 3-0 advantage. Joe Ruiz made it 4-0 with a goal after his run into the box from his center back position. Billy Nzojyibwami played the ball to Ruiz in the box to get the assist on the Ruiz tally.
Ozark’s Jacob Zamarron, who came in as the leading scorer in the Heartland Conference, put the visitors on the scoreboard with a goal in the 81st minute. He added a second goal later in the contest from a penalty kick after a handball in the box.
Santiago Riveros scored two goals in only two minutes for a brace. After a foul just outside the box, Riveros crushed the free kick to the top far post to increase the score to 5-1. Riveros upped the score to 6-1 in the 90th minute with his second goal.
Bryson Reed started in goal and kept Ozark FC scoreless through 60 minutes. Nolan Cosgrove came in to play goal for the final 30 minutes.
With the victory, Tulsa Athletic will host the Heartland Conference championship on Saturday (July 13) at 2 p.m. at Veterans Park. Live video streaming will be available.
2019 NPSL Season
Heartland Conference Semifinals
Tulsa 6 : 2 Ozark
Wednesday, July 10
Tulsa, Okla. – Veterans Park
Scoring
TUL: Joe Garcia 15’
TUL: Joe Garcia 43’
TUL: Adam Habib 52’
TUL: Joe Ruiz 60’
OZK: Jacob Zamarron 81’
TUL: Santiago Riveros 88’
TUL: Santiago Riveros 90’
OZK: Jacob Zamarron 90+2’
